Electric call-bell signal



(No Model.)

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" J. F. KETT-ELL.

ELECTRIC CALL BELL SIGNAL.

Patented May 2, 1882.

' Unrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES F. KETTELL, QF VVORCESTEB, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC CALL-BELL SIGNAL.

- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 257,342, dated May 2,1882.

Application filed October 13, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES F. Kn'rrnLL, a citizen ofthe United States,residing atIVorcester, in the county of Worcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElectric Gall-Bell Signals; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the in vention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and to theletters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

My present invention relates to telephones and methods for operating thesame.

The object of my invention is to provide a linein-use signal or a signalby means of which any subscriber may ascertain at a glance, when he maydesire to use the line, whether the line at such time is being used byany other. sub scriber or person on the same circuit.

My invention is designed to be applied to any description of electricalbell in such a manner that the working of the armature thereof,

or hammer, or any part of the mech anism which rings the bell, willoperate the signal.

To effect these objects my invention consists in the followingconstruction and arrangement of mechanism, which will be fullydescribed, and the points of novelty set forth in the claim.

A special description of such parts of a telephone system as are old andwell understood to those skilled in the art will not here be made,except a brief reference to such parts as are directly in relation tothe present invention.

Figure 1 of the drawings represents a front elevation of a device towhich my invention has been applied. Fig. 2 r'eprcsents a verticalsectional elevation of a device embodying my invention. Figs. 3 and 4represent detail views in further illustration of my improvement.

A represents the elcctro-magnct of a telephone-station, which isemployed for ringing the alarm-bell, and with-which every station ontheline is provided. It is suitably arranged within the circuit. Thearmature B of this electro-magnet, which carries the striking-hammer Gof the bell E, is provided also with a downwardly-projecting arm, D,adapted to vibrate with said armature. The lower extremity of this arm Dis provided with a catch, F, of any suitable shape, and is designed toarrest a series of 'projectin g revolving arms, G H, secured to anarbor, I, of a clock-work, K, driven by a spring, L. To the same arbor Ito which the revolvingstop-arms G H are keyed is secured a disk, N, onwhich are printed or otherwise placed divisional surfaces of differentcolors, words, or other distinguishing-marks.

The whole device, with the exception of the alarm-bell and magnet, ispreferably inclosed within a suitable casing, through which is piercedan opening, 0, which may be covered by any transparent medium. Thisopening 0 I prefer to make large enough to show but a portion of disk N,which is somewhat less than the length of aradius of the disk. In thisinstance I have provided the disk with two contrasting colors, thedarker of which is represented by parallel lines on the disk andapproximates an area about one-quarter of the surface thereof. When thisdarker color appears opposite the opening 0 it is indicative that theline is in use; and when the lighter color appears it indicates that theline is not in use. Now the arrangement of the arms G H and thevibrating arm D, together with the disposition of the colors or words ondisk N, is such that no matter in what position are the various partstwo taps of the bell-hammer, or one prolonged one, will alwaysbringthelighter color opposite the opening 0, indicating that the lineis not in use, and one quick tap following will show the darker orline-in-use' signal. It will be understood of course that the strikingof the bell-hammer is due to the making and breaking of the electriccurrent.

The speed at which the disk N revolves may be about one revolution infrom two to four seconds; but I wish it understood that various rates ofspeed may be used.

The arms G H are arranged at about right angles to each other. When thecatch F of arm D engages arm H the light color shows through the opening0, as seen in Figs. 2 and/I. A single quick tap of the bell will bringthe dark color opposite opening 0 by the armature withdrawing arm Dmomcntarily, allowing arm H to pass and arresting arm G, as seen inFigs. 1 and 3.

v I contemplate modifying my invention by providing a disk (similar todisk N) with a Weight instead of a clock mechanism, so that unarrestedit will revolve to a certain fixed po 5 sition. It carries an arm orprojection in connection with a pivoted tripping-lever, said 1ever beingadapted to be actuated whenever the bell-hammer, armature, or othermechanism of an electric bell may be operated, thereby 10 showing thatthe bell has been rung.

I have described my invention as applied to telephone-alarm calls, butit is obvious it may be applied to any electric call-bell. 7

Having described my invention ,wh at I claim A clock mechanism, adisk orother visible signal carried thereby, an arm adapted to be operated bythe operating mechanism of an electric bell or other alarm, and suitablestops on the clock-work engaging said arm, the whole 20 constructed toact in combination in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES F. KETTELL.

Witnesses:

CHARLES E. SEINFoNE, FRANK T. GOODWIN.

